I have watched many people die during my twenty year career in medicine. Some people die suddenly but most die slowly and with plenty of warning. One thing that I have found striking is how the process of death will peel away the meaningless layers of a person’s life.
In the months leading up to death, a person will often become disinterested in politics and world events. They will seldom discuss television shows or movie stars. They couldn’t care less about the President or the upcoming election.
In the weeks leading up to death, a person will often stop caring about what they look like. Skin blemishes, wrinkles, and gray hairs no longer bother them. The women no longer care what size dress they fit into. The clothes that they wear are usually an afterthought.
In the days leading up to death, a person will usually become disinterested in their financial troubles. They don’t seem to care about their debt or how much money they have saved. They don’t care if their house is smaller than their neighbor’s house. There is no such thing as rich or poor.
In the hours leading up to death, a person only seems to care about their family and friends. They often break down emotional barriers. They tell others how they really feel about them. They sometimes will tell people they love them for the very first time. They no longer believe in secrets. Forgiveness becomes easy.
In the seconds before a person’s death, the only things that seem to matter are the person holding their hand as they take their last breath and where they believe they are about to go after they die.
I have watched many people die in my life… and the most important lesson that I have ever learned is that you do not have to be dying in order to truly start living. You can peel away the meaningless layers of your life starting today. By studying people when they die, you can discover what is really important in your own life.
